Indiana redshirt junior Maurice Creek will not return to Indiana for a fifth season and will instead seek to complete his eligibility at a school closer to his home. Creek will receive his undergraduate degree next week.

Here’s the full release from IU media relations:

Indiana University men’s basketball coach Tom Crean has announced that guard Maurice Creek will graduate next week and will not play for the Hoosiers next season. He will look to play his final season immediately at another school and begin work on a graduate degree.

“With his graduation coming up next week, Maurice and his family have decided to pursue an opportunity where he can find the type of role that would provide him the minutes he desires and is accustomed to,” said Crean. “In all my time as a coach, I have never witnessed someone overcoming the adversity that Maurice had sustained during his time. His attitude, ability to continue to work and his passion for the game of basketball have never wavered. He has been an integral part of our basketball family and will always remain that in our eyes and and should also in the eyes of Hoosier Nation.”

During his career with the Hoosiers, the Oxon Hill, Maryland product averaged 7.2 points in 54 games including a 31-point effort against Kentucky as a freshman.

“I want to thank Hoosier Nation for their support during my four years at IU,” said Creek. “I am grateful that Coach Crean gave me the opportunity to come to Indiana University. As much as anyone, he has helped me turn from a boy into a man. I feel like I would have a better opportunity for more playing time at another school where I can be eligible right away.”

With Creek’s departure, Indiana currently has 12 scholarship players on next year’s roster and just two — Austin Etherington and Will Sheehey — are upperclassmen.

Never will forget that game against pUKe your freshman year. Good luck in all you do.

HoosierDavey

We have become very young again…

james

Would have been in NBA by now if not for the injuries. Hope everything works out for him. Could have used his leadership and also to remind the new guys of where we were at when he got here. Also sucks cause it doesn’t even help open up a new scholarship for the ’14 kids.

OhioHoosier

Disappointing. Will always root for this guy.

cdog

This explains why we went after a PG for 2013. Abell did not have to transfer, he wanted to transfer. I say we go get a 5th year senior PG. That seems to be the hot item for kids to do that are redshirted and can still graduate in 4 years. I am not sure a JC PG would make sense as that would take a scholly away from a 2014 PG to replace Yogi. If we can’t get a fifth year guy, then I think Stan will be just fine as a backup. I don’t really want the guy from UCLA as he is a pure 2 (not a good ball handler or decision maker). CTC will figure it out. BEST OF LUCK TO MAURICE! God knows he did not have any luck as a hoosier.

You will always be a Hoosier Maurice! From my family to yours we wish you well in everything you do. Thank you from us countless times over and over for all of your dedication to Indiana. You sir are of unlimited quantities and going forward you must use that drive for the rest of your life in all of your endeavors. You will be successful no matter what comes your way.

Good luck to you, Mo. You would have been a great role model for these freshman to look up to. Everyone in the program works hard, but you shouldered your injury burdens with a smile and always seemed happy and thankful to be here at IU. We, Hoosier Nation, were happy and thankful for you as well. You should have been a great player, but you seem to always be a great person.

Have to admit this surprises me. Really hate to see Mo go, he is such a team player. But I cant help think coach is making room for someone. I heard Dante Exum is graduating from high school, and will be eligible to play in Dec of this year. Guess we will see. Anyway,.good luck Mo, you will always be in the minds of all Hoosiers

tenaciousIUFan

You will be missed Creek

WhatsUpKnight

over-signing all of a sudden doesn’t seem like it was such a bad idea, eh?

esapata

Graduating makes you a hoosier. Not all hoosiers play basketball. Some of of us just have degrees.

calbert40

Not too surprising, but I am sad to see him go. I thought this was a possibility with his upcoming graduation and the fact that he just had a baby. Family changes your perspective.

It is probably the best thing for him and his family, though. If he has any plans to play overseas once his collegiate career is over, he needs to play at a school that can offer him more consistent playing time. I think he would have gotten more minutes next year than this past year, but I think they would have been inconsistent.

BrierBrax

so um wow

BrierBrax

lol. These kids aren’t leaving on their own accord but whatever

WilliamTellOverture

and some of us just love IU and have grown up with cream and crimson in our hearts… and not $80k to go to school.

Benhyoung14

Say it ain’t so, Mo.

marcusgresham

He’s a foreigner—the NCAA would find some way to screw it up for IU.

marcusgresham

Great kid. terrible misfortune. Hope he succeeds wherever he goes; more importantly, I hope he stays healthy.

hoosier1158

i haven’t heard of Allerik. Did a search, found out UCLA has an incoming freshman named Alford, wonder if that is any relation to the Steve?

It’s his oldest son wholt up New Mexico HS basketball this past year. Had Steve staye at NM, his son would be playing for the Lobo’s

esapata

While I understand where you’re coming from, as an out-of-stater, I don’t think a kid from Maryland falls in to that category. Creek is a hoosier not because he grew up rooting for them and not because he is from Indiana. It’s because of the sacrifices he made on the court and in the classroom. But yes, we are legion, and not everyone had to spend $80k in Btown or play in the stripes.

Pritch24

I’m pretty sure Remy’s second thoughts proved otherwise. Looked like IU would welcome him back with open arms. Also, if Crean wanted Creek out, why wouldn’t he have participated in Senior Night festivities? Not to mention that we were already good in terms of schollies before Creek decided to leave. Now we have an extra one. Try a little harder the next time you want to troll.

hoosier1158

thanks. looks like a pretty decent player.
A sweet-shooting 6-foot-3 guard, Bryce broke the New Mexico single-season record by scoring 1,050 points as a senior at La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.). He averaged 37.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists.

inadvertentelbows_stillhurt

Another force out….will be a signing or transfer in by end of week

BluegrassHoosier

Can’t understand the logic of not letting Creek (and others) go through Senior Night when everyone knows they won’t be back. Robs them and the fans of a chance to say goodbye.

SCHoosier

This had to happen. Mo was on record of saying he wanted to play next year. That option at IU..based on his physical abilities and the minutes he DIDN’T get this year at critical times.. was unrealistic. Sorry Mo won’t get his senior night..but hopefully he can come back and help hang the new B-10 banner. So sad that his kid, prior injuries, was a sure fire NBA talent. Hope good things happen for you going forward Mo..stay well..we love ya. U will always be a Hoosier.

HoosierDavey

You have inside information? We have a spot for him and need experience and shooting…why would anyone want to force him out?

Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, “It might have been.” …

So sorry to have Mo leave. I just wish he could have been half the player he was his freshman year. I have no doubt if he had been we would have a 6th banner in the Hall right now. I want to win as much as anyone but I hope he is making this decision on his own and he was not “pushed” out the door. IU is too good to do that.

Good luck Mo and thanks for the memories. Best wishes.

SCHoosier

I’m not sure that would be accurate. Mo..rightfully..is hanging on to his dream of playing pro somewhere someday. To do that his physical and b-ball abilities need ongoing strengthening. That can’t/won’t happen with the minutes his limitations will give him at IU. Mo has a degree..and the support of coaches, the institution and the fans..I hope he can go somewhere and reach his goals. Staying at IU..with TC’s responsibility to play the best and most physically able players was just not going to happen. End of story.

plane1972

You’re right, Davey. Michigan was young this year, too. Not expecting those kind of results, but let’s hope we can come together as fast as they did this season.

Phshman

OK people, lets just calm down. First of all, thanks to the 99% of the posters who had encouraging words for Mo. I will miss him as much as anyone but I knew this would be his last year. No reason to stick around when you weren’t going to get the minutes. Now, for that 1% who are all conspiracy theorists. We are not around the program 24/7 so we do not know what went on behind the decisions for Remy and Mo to leave. Personally, I dont blame either one of them because you have to see that minutes were going to be at a premium next year. Remy might have been looking at losing more minutes each year and decided to have two years somewhere else. We just dont know. Trust in the program, support the ones that are here, and wish good luck to those that leave.

hoosierdlong12

We never know how challenges that are presented to us during our lives necessitate changes that create new and better paths for lives. We really never know what would have come out of Mo and the NBA, but I do know that he is up for any challenge after what he has endured. I can say without doubt that he is a stronger and better person today because of what he has overcome. He achieved the goal of getting his degree and now pursuing his Graduate Degree. With his strong will, love of the game and intelligence I would not be surprised to see him pacing a sideline down the road inspiring and coaching kids in the game of basketball. Good luck in everything you do Mo and thanks for the memories. Hold your head high sir.

Wow. Surprised that guy’s comment got deleted. So what if most of us don’t agree with that opinion. Alex and the gang are really developing a short fuse. As someone who often criticizes Crean myself, I hope the mods cut me more slack than that.

First, thanks Mo for what you have done for IU basketball. On the floor and off. At one of the open practice sessions where the players were signing autographs my 7 year old daughter went up to him and asked him what happened and why aren’t you playing? He was polite and answered her “I hurt my knee but I will be back”. She then said can I have your autograph because I know you will be somebody someday. He signed her card and thanked her for being a fan. That to me shows more character than many players that are just looking for a big payday. He is and always will be an Indiana Hoosier! Good luck Mo!

Andrew

The mods only what opinions on here if they like the opinions. I never saw the deleted comment but I have had multiple deleted without EVER cursing, slamming kids, being rude, or anything. Just offer opinions, like a week ago when I suggested Creek would be leaving. It was a very subtle and sincere post and it got deleted.